2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 3
The first two weeks of the 2023 NFL season have been eye-opening for defenses. Jason Radowitz is here with his NFL team defensive power rankings heading into Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season. Where does your team lie on the rankings? Read on to find out.
Jason Radowitz - September 21, 2023, 11:45 AM EDT
5 min2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 3
We've learned a lot throughout the first two weeks of the season.
Here are the defensive team power rankings as we head into Week 3.
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NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Week 3
32. Chicago Bears
The Bears continue to miss tackles and have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.
31. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are solid against the run. But the secondary will let the Colts down throughout the season.
30. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a consistent secondary. But the run defense is so bad that they'll struggle as the year continues.
29. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have looked awful in coverage. They're also missing countless tackles.
28. Las Vegas Raiders
Most teams will run all over the Las Vegas Raiders this season. That run defense is concerning.
27. Houston Texans
The run defense is also terrible in Houston. But I have a hunch that DeMeco Ryans will at least fix this defense by the end of the year.
26. New York Giants
The Giants will have a solid pass rush this season. But they're a below-average defense to begin the year. Still, we saw what the defense can look like in the final two quarters against Arizona last weekend.
25. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams probably have the worst secondary in football. They've also missed so many tackles. But I'll still give credit to that pass rush. They'll be disruptive this year. That puts them at 25.
24. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals haven't been consistent defensively this season. They have limited talent on the roster, but they're playing average for now.
23. Atlanta Falcons
So far, the Falcons have been dominant against the run. But what else has the defense done?
22. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers don't have a reliable secondary, and the run defense isn't all that good. I've got faith it'll perform better moving forward. But it likely won't be this weekend against the Vikings.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville can't put pressure on the quarterback. If you can't do that, winning games will be challenging. The Jaguars would love to figure that pass rush out because the secondary has played well.
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20. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are good in the passing game. But most teams will be able to run all over Carolina this year.
19. Detroit Lions
If the Lions would stop missing tackles, they'd be in the top 15.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay was underrated coming into the season. The defense has helped the team with two straight. Now, there's hype and momentum. That always helps a defense play better.
17. Denver Broncos
The Broncos' typical defense is no longer. The secondary is horrible, and the missed tackles are countless.
16. Green Bay Packers
The Packers will be solid in the secondary and have a reliable pass rush. The biggest question is its run defense. That hasn't been as good.
15. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have been as average as it gets. That's why they're 15th right now.
14. Miami Dolphins
Miami's secondary has surprised to begin the year. But what about its run defense? That's the most significant weakness so far.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Luckily, the Steelers will create havoc with their pass rush. Because the run defense hasn't lived up to the hype this year.
12. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are an above-average defense. There's no area where the Titans have really struggled and no area where the Titans have dominated. But they're a good defense that will be reliable this season.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs held the Jaguars to nine points last weekend. The defense looks better than it did a week ago.
10. New Orleans Saints
It will be challenging to score in the passing game against the Saints' pass rush and secondary. It's lethal.
9. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.
8. Buffalo Bills
The Bills were stomped on the ground in Week 1. But they turned things around in Week 2. I'm confident that the Bills will finish in the Top 10 of defenses by the end of the year.
7. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens look great in coverage and have dominated against the run to begin the year.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
Good luck trying to rush against the Philadelphia Eagles' run defense.
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5. New England Patriots
The Patriots could be better at rushing the passer, but everything else has been excellent defensively for the Patriots. Don't look at the points they've allowed. They'll be better against worse offenses.
4. Cleveland Browns
If the Browns would stop missing tackles, they'd be in the Top 3. The pass rush is dangerous, and the secondary has performed well.
3. New York Jets
The Jets struggled against the Cowboys. But they're still one of the best defenses in the NFL. The secondary is elite and will continue to be elite this season.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are great against the pass. The run defense will need to prove themselves a little bit more. But they're still going to be a terrific defense this year.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have everything going for them defensively. They've earned many turnovers and have the best pass defense in the NFL.
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